Motorists traveling north on Interstate 37 pass by a hurricane evacuation route sign near Calallen Sunday, March 05, 2006 informing how to uses the shoulder in case of a evacuation.(Photo: Todd Yates/Caller-Times file)Buy Photo

Create an emergency kit: Put together a survival kit with non-perishable food, water for drinking and cleaning, medications, first-aid items, sunscreen and bug repellant and important documents. A complete list can be found on the city's website. And don't forget your pets, they'll have their own needs during an emergency.

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Batazar Martinez views the supplies Home Depot set out as hurricane safety essentials on Saturday, May 31, 2014, for a hurricane workshop.(Photo: Edgar De La Garza/Caller-Times file)

Write or review your family emergency plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Ready.Gov emergency plan webpage. They even have a handy template to download and fill out.

Have special needs or need medical assistance? The state offers the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR), a free registry for residents who might need help during an evacuation. Residents with disabilities or who have access and functional needs such as limited mobility, communication barriers, or require additional medical, transportation or personal care assistance can sign up to get help should an evacuation be ordered. You can register at any time, not just when there's a storm.

Review your insurance policies: Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property. In addition to home or renter's insurance and flood insurance, most property owners in Aransas, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio counties must have windstorm insurance. And remember, once a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico you cannot change or purchase new insurance.

Meteorologist John Metz with the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi gave a slide presentation on hurricane science and history for residents and agency representatives at the Oveal Williams Center Tuesday, May 7, 2007.(Photo: George Tuley/Caller-Times file)